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Start Preamble

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard proposes establishment of safety zones for annual events in the Captain of the Port Detroit zone. This proposed rule adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

DATES:

Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before May 14, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2010-0126 using any one of the following methods:

Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided.

Submitting Comments

If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking USCG-2010-0126, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online (via http://www.regulations.gov) or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online via http://www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.

To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, click on the “submit a comment” box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the “Document Type” drop down menu select “Proposed Rule” and insert USCG-2010-0126, in the “Keyword” box. Click “Search” then click on the balloon shape in the “Actions” column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change the rule based on your comments.

Viewing Comments and Documents

To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, click on the “read comments” box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the “Keyword” box insert USCG-2010-0126, and click “Search.” Click the “Open Docket Folder” in the “Actions” column. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management Facility.

Privacy Act

Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

Public Meeting

We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for one using one of the four methods specified under ADDRESSES. Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

This proposed rule will add additional events not previously published in the regulations found in 33 CFR 165.941, Safety Zones; Annual Fireworks Events in the Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. These safety zones are necessary to protect vessels and people from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. Such hazards include obstructions to the waterway that may cause marine casualties and the explosive danger of fireworks and debris falling into the water that may cause death or serious bodily harm.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

The proposed rule and associated safety zones are necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and people during annual firework events in the Captain of the Port Detroit area of responsibility.

The proposed safety zones will be enforced only immediately before, during, and after events that pose hazard to the public, and only upon notice by the Captain of the Port.

The Captain of the Port Detroit will notify the public that that the zones in this proposal are or will be enforced by all appropriate means to the affected segments of the public including publication in the Federal Register as practicable, in accordance with 33 CFR 165.7(a). Such means of notification may also include, but are not limited to Broadcast Notice to Mariners or Local Notice to Mariners. The Captain of the Port will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners notifying the public when enforcement of the safety zone established by this section is cancelled.

All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated representative. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit, or his designated representative. The Captain of the Port or his designated representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

The Coast Guard expects the final rule will be effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register because delaying the effective date would be contrary to the public interest due to the need to protect the public from the dangers associated with fireworks displays.

Regulatory Analyses

We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Regulatory Planning and Review

This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order.

We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary.

The Coast Guard's use of these safety zones will be periodic, of short duration, and designed to minimize the impact on navigable waters. These safety zones will only be enforced Start Printed Page 19306immediately before, during, and after the time the events occur. Furthermore, these safety zones have been designed to allow vessels to transit unrestricted to portions of the waterways not affected by the safety zones. The Coast Guard expects insignificant adverse impact to mariners from the activation of these safety zones.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000.

The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

This proposed rule would affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in the areas designated as safety zones in subparagraphs (50) through (56) during the dates and times the safety zones are being enforced.

These safety zones would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This proposed rule would be in effect for short periods of time, and only once per year, per zone. The safety zones have been designed to allow traffic to pass safely around the zone whenever possible and vessels will be allowed to pass through the zones with the permission of the Captain of the Port.

If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (seeADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact Lieutenant Commander Matt Merriman, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit, 110 Mount Elliot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207; (313) 568-9508.

The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

Collection of Information

This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or Tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

This proposed rule would not affect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

Protection of Children

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

This proposed rule does not have Tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes. We invite your comments on how this proposed rule might impact Tribal governments, even if that impact may not constitute a “Tribal implication” under the Order.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a “significant energy action” under that order because it is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction Start Printed Page 19307M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination is available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. This proposed rule involves establishing safety zones around fireworks displays and is therefore expected to be categorically excluded, under section 2.B.2. Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of the Instruction. Comments on this section will be considered before we make the final decision on whether this proposed rule should be categorically excluded from further environmental review. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.

Safety Zones; Annual Fireworks Events in the Captain of the Port Detroit Zone.

(a) * * *

(50) Celebrate America Fireworks, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI:

(i) Location: All waters of Lake St. Clair within a 500-foot radius of the fireworks launch site located at position 42°22′58″ N, 082°53′46″ W. (NAD 83). This area is located southeast of the Grosse Point Yacht Club.

(ii) Expected date: One evening during the third week in June. The exact dates and times for this event will be determined annually.

(51) Target Fireworks, Detroit, MI:

(i) Location: The following three areas are safety zones:

(A) The first safety zone area will encompass all waters of the Detroit River bounded by the arc of a circle with a 900-foot radius with its center in position 42°19′23″ N, 083°04′34″ W.

(B) The second safety zone area will encompass a portion of the Detroit River bounded on the South by the International Boundary line, on the West by 83°03′30″ W, on the North by the City of Detroit shoreline and on the East by 083°01′15″ W.

(C) The third safety zone will encompass a portion of the Detroit River bounded on the South by the International Boundary line, on the West by the Ambassador Bridge, on the North by the City of Detroit shoreline, and on the East by the downstream end of Belle Isle. The Captain of the Port Detroit has determined that vessels below 65 feet in length may enter this zone.

(ii) Expected date: One evening during the last week in June. The exact dates and times for this event will be determined annually.

(52) Sigma Gamma Association Fireworks, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI:

(i) Location: All waters of Lake St. Clair, within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks launch site located at position 42°27′ N, 082°52′ W (NAD 83) This position is located in the vicinity of Ford's Cove.

(ii) Expected date: One evening during the last week in June. The exact dates and times for this event will be determined annually.

(53) Southside Summer Fireworks, Port Huron, MI:

(i) Location: All waters of St. Clair River within a 300 yard radius of position 42°57′55″ N, 082°25′20″ W. This position is located on the shore of the St. Clair River in the vicinity of Oak and 3rd Street, Port Huron, MI. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

(ii) Expected date: One evening during the last week in June. The exact dates and times for this event will be determined annually.

(54) Bay City Fireworks Festival, Bay City, MI:

(i) Location: All waters of the Saginaw River near Bay City, MI, from the Veteran's Memorial Bridge, located at position 43°35.8′ N; 083°53.6′ W, south approximately 1000 yards to the River Walk Pier, located at position 43°35.3′ N; 083°53.8′ W. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

(ii) Expected date: Three evenings during the first week in July. The exact dates and times for this event will be determined annually.

(55) Toledo 4th of July Fireworks, Toledo, OH:

(i) Location: All waters of the Maumee River within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks launch site located at position 41°38′35″ N, 083°31′54″ W. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

(ii) Expected date: One evening during the first week in July. The exact dates and times for this event will be determined annually.

(56) Toledo Labor Day Fireworks, Toledo, OH:

(i) Location: All waters of the Maumee River within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks launch site located at position 41°38′35″ N, 083°31′54″ W. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

(ii) Expected Date: One evening during the first week in September. The exact dates and times for this event will be determined annually.